When my son was 8 weeks old, we drove to Texas from Virginia with everything we owned, a 4 year old niece and 3 animals to close on our house the day we arrived. After our exhausted journey from the closing to our hotel that day, we arrived to find our precious newborn had spent the 30 minute drive in his infant seat, UNBUCKLED.

We were… horrified… and full of guilt. It was a terrible mistake that, thankfully, ended well.

How could we forget something like this? What terrible parents we must be! The only ones in the entire world to ever let their child’s safety suffer due to our lack of concentration and vigilance. 

We thought.

But then my mom told me about that time she forgot my sister in the car while she went to grocery shop, and our friend told us about that time she drove all the way to work before she remembered her sleeping baby needed to be dropped off at daycare, and countless others let us in on their momentary lapses of parental focus and vigilance.

Did that make what we did okay? No. Did it make us feel more human? Yes.

I want you to know, I don’t judge you. You have 4 kids. You took them all with you. Maybe to give your wife a break. Maybe to get in some family bonding time. Maybe because you were solely responsible for them and had no choice. You took them ALL, even the 6 month old in her infant car seat, in to pick up the pizza. You were vigilant and thoughtful enough of a parent not to leave them in the car while you quickly ran in.

Why you accidentally left your baby in her car seat in the parking lot and drove off, only you know. But, I’m betting it had a lot more to do with stress you’re under, the noise and chaos of getting 3 other kids and pizza in your car so you could all get home in time for dinner, or exhaustion brought on by, well, parenting 4 kids than you being a negligent parent who should have your children taken away.

“Memory is a machine… and it is not flawless. Our conscious mind prioritizes things by importance, but on a cellular level, our memory does not. If you’re capable of forgetting your cellphone, you are potentially capable of forgetting your child.”

That’s a quote from David Diamond, professor of molecular physiology at the University of South Florida, a “memory expert.”

It’s taken from one of the most profound pieces of writing I’ve read as a parent- Fatal Distraction by Gene Weingarten. It won a Pulitzer Prize, and it is the heart-wrechingly awful account of parents who have forgotten their children… in their cars. Their endings were not happy.

It became clear to me after reading that that parents are not infallible, though, no doubt, many of us do everything in our power to be. Sure, there are parents who don’t try. There are parents who do more harm than good and don’t care.

But, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. The news said your family has no record of abuse, no reason to suspect neglect. Until someone proves that you were blatantly neglectful or high, I’m choosing to believe you’re one of the good ones.

Why did the 3 other kids not notice or say anything about the baby not being in the car? Why did nobody realize until you got home and your wife frantically phoned the pizza place?

Maybe they were busy playing their gaming devices. Maybe they were tired. Maybe they sat in the back of the car and took turns playing Punch Buggy. Maybe they were a handful at the pizza place and you told them you didn’t want to hear a single peep out of them the entire ride home… and they obeyed.

Who knows. That’s the point. Nobody knows what happened except you.

All I know is that this could have been me, or my husband, or so many other loving, caring, busy parents. It happens.

Does that make it okay? No. Are we human? Yes. It was a mistake. 

And even if the unthinkable, God forbid, happened and your baby wan’t returned safely to you, even if  it wasn’t a happy ending, it would have still been a mistake.

Luckily, that’s not your reality right now, though I’m sure those scenes will not stop playing out in your mind and in your wife’s mind. That, alone, is enough to deal with. No judgement here, and, despite the accusatory and judgemental comments on the news websites and in the story itself, I don’t think I’m alone in the way I feel.

Sincerely,

A mother who’s really happy many of her worst parenting moments haven’t wound up on the evening news

P.S. I’m really glad your baby girl is okay.

We got to see real, live jousting and sword-fights. Seriously, there were sparks.

Click through from my homepage to read more about our trip to Medieval Times, Dallas.

We had excellent, front row seats to enjoy Medieval Times, Dallas’ new show, and the entire family had a blast.

Yup, even this one:

I was a little concerned when I discovered there were no high chairs, but Leyna (10 months old) loved every minute and was either fixated on the horses and knights in front of us (literally squealing in delight as they rode past) or stuffing her face with chicken…er… I mean, “baby dragon” and veggies the entire time.

And this guy:

Let’s just say, at 3.5 years old he totally got it. He was enthralled and fully invested in our yellow knight.

This picture needs no caption:

Medieval Times was always one of those places on our list of “Maybe Some Days,” but I’m so glad we had the chance to experience it sooner than later. We went to a 5 pm show and we were out in time for both kids to crash, with full bellies, on the way home. Fun was had by all.

Oh, and the food? Uhm, surprisingly good, I must say. And SO much of it! We actually brought 2 boxes of leftovers home and had lunch off of it the next day.

I’m not sure if there are any vegetarian options at Medieval Times, though. So if you don’t want a big fat plate of meat in front of you, maybe look into that before going.

We got to watch the new show, which officially rolls out in the Dallas Medieval Times location on November 18th (the other 8 locations are soon to follow). It was very action-packed, without being too difficult to follow along with while stuffing our faces.

And really, those knights are crazy talented and must rehearse often because that is some REAL fighting going on! It was very exciting to watch.

I only had a couple small issues:

1. There were only 2 drink choices- Pepsi or Tea. Meh. I had tea, the boys had Pepsi. It’s not a huge deal, but I had to make a special request for water for Leyna (and the “wench” was more than happy to get it for me).

2. This place is very commercial, which is fine. I mean, I’d expect as much. Just know when you get there you will be bombarded with various ways to spend your money, beyond what you shell out for your ticket (which includes your dinner). Either plan an extra spending budget ahead of time for things like costumed pictures and light up swords, or maybe try to get there as close to show time as possible* so you limit the amount of time you have to spend saying no to the kids.

*The RSVP says to get there up to 2 hours ahead of time because seats sell out, but I’m not sure if it’s only like that if you buy your tickets at the door. It’s worth checking to see if you can buy tickets ahead of time and maintain your reservation without getting there so far in advance. We only got there 45 minutes before and didn’t seem to have any issues.

You DO get to bring home a really cool hologram souvenir cup, so you won’t come home empty handed even if you don’t buy anything additional.

The experience, overall, was wonderful, and I think it’s the first dinner we’ve had in 3.5 years that we didn’t have to worry about Kendall yelling at the table. Really, this is the perfect place to bring children with awful table manners.

Medieval Times invited my family and me to dinner at no cost to us. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. To learn more about Medieval Times click here.

Obviously, I don’t have any sort of review of it yet, but after watching the video about it and reading more about the cause, I’m pretty sure I’m going to love it.

I’ll try not to get too sappy here, but, for me, my 2 positive birth experiences changed me and empowered me. I feel lucky and blessed by all that every day, but I had to fight to get what I wanted. I had to work hard to educate myself and left 2 OB practices in search of more mother-friendly midwifery practices.

It’s not about whether you have an epidural or not, if you birth in a hospital or at home. It’s about getting the experience YOU want, and having the support offered up easily. It’s about not having to dig and search, fight and leave your OB at 39 weeks when he states he will not let you labor out of bed, or she won’t allow you to try for a vaginal birth after your last cesarean, even though you and your baby look perfectly healthy and are great candidates to try for it.

I think this is an important movement. The cornerstones of mother-friendly maternity care are described by BOLD include:

Birth can safely take place in hospitals, birth centers, and homes.

A woman’s confidence and ability to give birth and to care for her baby are enhanced or diminished by every person who gives her care, and by the environment in which she gives birth.

Every woman should have the opportunity to: Have a healthy and joyous birth experience for herself and her family, regardless of her age or circumstances.

Maternity care practice should be based not on the needs of the caregiver or provider, but solely on the needs of the mother and child.

And many more. You can read more about BOLD’s description of mother-friendly maternity care here.

Birth, the play, is showing all around the county, and, in fact, the world. You can find a location near you here. I will be attending the DFW showing next week. The ticket sales will benefit the Tarrant County Birth Network, the largest Birth Network National Chapter in the country.

Producer Shannon Blackwell said she became interested in the play after the birth of her second child in 2009.

“My two different births and the care I received during my pregnancies from my providers showed me the huge difference in experience a woman can have. Being educated and knowing your options are significant factors in walking away from a birth feeling empowered. It is a milestone in a woman’s life and we should celebrate that,” says Blackwell.

The DFW production of Birth opens September 23rd with a performance at 7 pm. There are 2 performances on the 24th, a “crybaby” matinee at 2 pm and another evening performance at 7 pm. Advance tickets are $10 and tickets at the door are $15. This play is PG-13 in nature, and not recommended for children. Go here for more DFW details and to buy tickets.

I’m also offering up a quick giveaway for 2 tickets to the DFW area production and the book The Birth Next Door. You’ll be able to choose the time that works best for you.

All you have to do is comment below telling me you’re in the area and interested in seeing it.

You can get an extra entry if you like BOLD Fort Worth on Facebook.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. I’ll draw the winner Tuesday morning with Random.org. You’ll need to get back to me quickly so we can arrange to have your tickets sent to you in time for the show.

Disclosure- BOLD provided the tickets for me and for my winner. I was not compensated in any other way for this post.

Entries closed. Congrats to Ashely, comment #16, as chosen by Random.org.

the birth of Josephine. (surrogate)

These are two best friends. One mama was too high risk to carry another baby and she had just about given up the dream of more children. Her best friend made the offer of a lifetime by carrying and birthing her beautiful little girl for her! Grab your kleenex!

Yeah. I had to click through after that.

Birth photography is always inspirational and fills my heart to begin with. There’s something very magical happening under the surface. A family is forming, a bond is sparking. But, these pictures tell a story that is so much more complex.

Can you even imagine the love in the room as baby Josephine’s mom caught her as she was born, after growing in her mother’s best friend’s womb?

And as if this miracle of birth isn’t enough to be just absolutely, well…. miraculous, the mother was able to nurse Josephine. Yes! She was able to take some supplements and pump so that she had a milk supply when Josephine arrived! (I read in the comments that the surrogate will also be pumping to help out.)

Best friend overjoyed at the sight of mama nursing her baby! Mama didn’t think this could happen!

I reached out to Keri  to ask if I could share this story here and link back to her album on Facebook. She doesn’t have a blog right now, so that’s the place to go to see the rest of them. I also asked her some questions about her experience with all of this, as it had to be very special to be on the other side of that camera lens.

How long have you been doing birth photography, and what got you into it?

I started birth photography in the spring of 2009. My mother has been a midwife my entire life, so it was natural for me to be involved somehow in the birth community. She owns two birth centers, Gentle Beginnings Birth Center. I worked in the office when they first opened so I was able to photograph some of her clients to start my portfolio.

How did you meet these women, and have you ever photographed a surrogate birth before?

This was my first surrogate birth, though I hope it to not be my last! They are clients of Gentle Beginnings Birth Center and T contacted me to photograph their birth.

What was it like to witness this bond, and what was the atmosphere like after Josephine entered the world?

It was such an honor to be trusted enough to capture one of the most intimate and joyous times in their life. I feel this way about every client I have. The mood after Josephine’s arrival was that of accomplishment and celebration. These couples had worked together for so long for this very moment, and it had finally arrived. It was very touching to see L so happy for her best friend who finally had her baby in her arms. I’m sure the reward for her was beyond words. It was also incredible to see Josephine’s mom and dad get to know her and fall in love with her, something they weren’t sure they would ever get to do again. It was a truly emotional and inspiring experience. 

Keri is unsure if and when the mother and surrogate will publish a public birth story, as they are both busy healing and nursing a very special baby girl right now. If they do, though, I’ll be sure to link it up (with their permission) and let you all know.

I really hope we can learn more about their story. It reminds me that the heart of life is good.

Keri is a DFW area birth photographer. You can visit her website here.

Sure, I know we still have plenty of ups and downs ahead of us, and I’m not saying the transition is over. Everyone seems to be experiencing some growing pains, but THIS makes it all worth it.

Last weekend Jessica Marchetti, new-found friend and DFW photographer, came out to the house to capture some intimate family moments and some fresh outta the baby oven pictures of Leyna. The images blew me away, and just remind me of how incredibly lucky I am.

I don’t know what I did in this life or another to deserve to be so blessed, so lucky, so loved. I know I do my fair share of complaining on here, but know that at the end of the day, this life and all the chaos, clutter, stress and noise that come with it is SO MUCH more than I ever imagined for myself.

Happy doesn’t even begin to describe it.

I’m so happy Jessica came by and captured these moments for us. If there’s one thing I learned from Kendall, it’s that as tough as this newborn phase can be, I should never wish it away. So we spent a few hours posing Leyna…

Fuzzy butt! Love me those Kissaluvs.

And then I threw on my beautiful nursing gown and robe and put Leyna in her matching sleep sack (sent to us by Belabumbum Maternity), and we got some amazing breastfeeding shots. I am so, so grateful for these. I have nothing like this with Kendall, which is a little sad, but I have to remind myself that at this point with my little barracuda, my nipples had chunks of flesh falling off of them, so perhaps it was best I didn’t document the process the first time around.

Leyna is much more picky about her latch than Kendall was. Sometimes we have to work for 15 minutes before I can finally get her to latch on, but the upside to being patient is she seems to be much nicer to me when she finally starts eating. Either that, or the nerves in my nipples are completely frazzled from Kendall and don’t know the difference anymore. All that is to say it seems to be a little tiny bit easier this time… it’s just testing my patience more.

Scott got some great daddy/daughter pics with Leyna, and then he and Kendall made French toast together (a weekend morning ritual around here).

There are so many more amazing shots…

That sweater is what I wore home from the hospital.

… but I can’t possibly share them all. So I leave you with this last one…

"This little piggy went to market..."

Jessica did SUCH a phenomenal job. Money well spent to have these small hours documented and preserved. Not only is she super talented, but she’s super nice and just a ton of fun to be around, too. If you’re in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and interested in having her capture some of your intimate family moments, you’re in luck! She’s extending an offer exclusive to Baby Rabies readers. Just tell her I sent you and she’ll give you 20% off all package pricing between now and January 21st. Also, sign up between now and next Friday, the 14th and get a FREE 8×10. Check out more of her work here.

Kendall is 2 2/3 and Leyna is 10 days old… and waking from her nap in her swing

Kendall climbed right up in his lap, introduced himself, “Hi, my name Kendall!” and when asked what he wanted, he simply replied, “I want candy!” Easy enough. Guess this Buzz Lightyear and SweetPea3 MP3 player are overkill. I’ll just fill his stocking with Skittles and call it a day.

We’ve always been impressed with this guy (the “Big Guy” at The Villiage At Allen, for you local folks who may be interested). In years past, he’s had his own live reindeer outside, and while they were notably missing this year, I’m happy to report the addition of the new call ahead/reserve your place in line feature MORE than made up for it.

We called around 6 and were told 59 people were ahead of us in line, with an approximate wait time of 239 minutes. I figured that was probably a gross over-estimation and that people would drop like flies. Sure enough, 20 minutes later we got a text saying our wait time was down to 50 minutes (this was all while we were out running errands). By the time we left Toys R’ Us 30 minutes later, we got a phone call saying it would be our turn in 10 minutes. It was heavenly. We arrived just in time to get in line and watch about 5 other kids take pictures, the whole time prepping Kendall and talking the whole thing up. He was a pro!

I love that we get to add this to our growing collection of pictures of this particular Santa and Kendall over the years.

Not the "official" 1st year photo, I was too lazy to scan that one.

The 09 official pic, taken moments before the big meltdown.

In fact, I’m so attached to this particular Santa and the outstanding pictures he always yields, I’m a bit concerned about his health. I mean, he is QUITE…. jolly, and I just want to ask him, “Are you taking care of yourself? For the children? For the parents who are obsessed with you?” Because I will sob the day he retires, or, God forbid… I don’t even want to go there.

So, Big Guy, please tell me you hit the treadmill hard from January through June… but wait, I guess then you would be a yo-yo dieter, and well, I’m not so sure that’s any better.

Seriously, though, for those of you in the Dallas area, it is so worth the trip to Allen to see this guy. He is incredibly kind, amazing with kids, the staff are super helpful, the setup is perfect, and that new call ahead line is a parent’s dream come true! And? I think he might really be the REAL Santa.

Kendall is 2.5 and I’m 37 weeks pregnant, making not having to stand in line for an hour even that much more magical.

I will take a minute to re-iterate, again, that I was NOT disappointed with not receiving the donation, and I made that explicitly clear, but was upset with the tone and manner in which the employee dealt with me.

You can go back and read the posts if you’d like more details on what happened between me and Chad Sorrells after that, including the threatening email he sent me.

Over the last year, those two posts have continued to accumulate over 150 comments combined, the overwhelming majority unfavorable toward Dimples Cupcakes. I just kept getting stories from people who found my blog after googling “Dimples Cupcakes.” They left their accounts of ways Chad and his partner scammed them, treated them disrespectfully, etc. I kept thinking, “Somebody HAS to expose these guys!”

So when an editor from D Magazine contacted me, I was more than happy to help her connect with many of the people who commented on my original blog posts.

In the article published yesterday , October 20th, in D Magazine titled “Dimples Cupcakes Leave A Bad Taste,” the truth is finally revealed about the scam artists behind Dimples Cupcakes. It turns out, their sour attitude and threats toward me didn’t even scratch the surface of what these guys attempt to get away with every day.

And the article doesn’t even cover all the experiences I’ve heard, both in my comments section and via email, over the last year. If you’ve got the time, the comment section on this post, especially toward the end, recounts many, many more poor experiences revolving around Dimples Cupcakes and their management/ownership.

I hope Karma finally gets back to Dimples Cupcakes (although I feel bad for the unfortunate, unknowing employees who I bet will go unpaid). These guys don’t deserve a dime of anyone’s money. There are SO many excellent cupcakeries in town.  Give your business to bakeries who are supporting the local economy by actually *paying* their employees. Give it to companies who strive to treat their customers AND vendors with respect.

I can’t say I’ve visited too many cupcake places in town, so I’m not super helpful, but I’d LOVE to hear your suggestion for the best cupcake place in the Dallas area. Who would you rather give your money to?

I had a plan, a prioritized list, a budget (ugh), and caffeine and sugar coursing through my pregnant veins. I was not above using my belly to bump people out of my way. I volunteered, setting up items people were selling the day before, in order to gain early entry into this MASSIVE sale and was in line 50 minutes early for our 3:00 entry time.

The first item on my stalk and kill list was a Graco Snugrider stroller frame, and it wasn’t pretty. I found them, but wasn’t sure of the prices. $30 and $35 for something I can get new for $50? Really, people? But I knew I needed it, and I didn’t want to start the sale off with a loss, so I headed toward the last one available just as a girl on a cell phone began hovering over it. “So it’s $30… it has 2 cup holders… uh, huh… says it will work with your seat… uh, huh…. soooooooo….. hmmmmmmm…..” I could have been a total bitch and just slapped my pink sticker on it while I awaited her decision, but I didn’t, and of course, she grabbed it. Grrrr. Oh well, I told myself that was still too much and I’d find a better deal elsewhere (which I did, last night I found one on CL for $25).

Next on my stalk and kill list was an Arm’s Reach Co-sleeper. I wasn’t expecting to find one since I volunteered in the room they were set up in the day before and didn’t see any come in, but as I turned the corner to the room it glinted like a piece of sea glass in the sun on a beach. It was the ONLY ONE. I had no shame, I did not care who was in my path. I abandoned my stroller (which I had brought to act as a shopping cart) and I ran. VICTORY!! Not only was it mine, but it was mine for the amazingly, insane low price of $56 (and this thing was practically brand new).

Feeling satiated by the kill, I took the rest of the time, well, I wouldn’t say leisurely, but not as ravenously stalking the items. As I meandered through the rooms with the Boppy covers and burp cloths, something that I promised myself wouldn’t happen started to take place. My stroller was slowly being taken over by pink- pink towels, pink changing pad covers, pink burp cloths (many of which I eventually put back).

I also found myself saying things under my breath like, “Really? $25 for a toddler trike you didn’t even bother to clean up, that I’m pretty certain has dog shit on the tires?…. Uh, you know I can get a brand new Gymboree shirt for this same exact price on sale next week, right? … Pshaw. You think really highly of your filthy Wiggles guitar with a broken volume button….You have got to be trying to selling this for more than you bought it. It’s consignment people, and I’m no fool. See you on half price day.”

That said, for every ridiculously over priced item there were so many items priced unbelievably low. It made it very hard to stick with my budget. I don’t know whether to be proud of myself or disappointed in myself for walking away from a like new condition Petunia Pickle Bottom Cake Cameo Clutch for only $25. I still can’t believe I had the will power to put it down, but there were just so many other things we actually *need* (and as much as I try to justify my desire for a Cake bag as a need, I just can’t).

When the final tally came in, I was slightly over my $150 budget, but I think it was worth every penny of the $187 total (including tax).

Among my steals are 4 pairs of shoes for Kendall (including a pair of Crocs and some Stride Rite shoes), a brand new pair of Stride Rite shoes for the baby, just a few gorgeous, tiny baby girl clothes (I promised I wouldn’t go crazy on the baby clothes), a Pottery Barn Kids Boppy cover, a new booster seat for Kendall so we can pass down the Tripp Trapp, and this…

A sweet little bookshelf that looks like it’s straight out of Pottery Barn Kids for only $16. I hope to hang it on baby girl’s wall.

Add in the great deal I got on the Co-sleeper, and I would say calling the day a “success” would be an understatement.

If you’re in the Dallas area, you can still take advantage of Divine Consign. It’s open to the public today from 12-5 (with a $2 entry fee for adults and children from 12-2) and tomorrow (Monday) from 12-3. Then the 1/2 price sale starts tomorrow at 6 until 9, and finishes up Tuesday from 8-12. There were TONS of items, over 84,000, and I’m sure there are plenty of great deals to be had still. I plan on going back to the 1/2 price sale on Monday, I think, just to see what I can find.

Did you make it out? Have one near you? What’s the best consignment sale deal you’ve found?

Kendall is 2 1/3 and I’m 23 weeks pregnant and suddenly feeling a lot more prepared for this baby.

Like you have a choice. Like you EVER have a choice.

It is so hot here I want to curl up and stuff myself in the refrigerator, hoping to drift off to sleep like a ladybug. (Have you ever seen those refrigerated bags of ladybugs they sell at gardening stores that wake up after they thaw out? Seriously creepy, traumatic childhood memory for me.)

In response to a comment in my epically long Blogher10 post below I mentioned, “Blogher could be in a landfill and I’d be happy if the high was 85.” Like, I mean, I might get disgusted by the smell, but it surely wouldn’t be as bad as the FLAMES OF HELL I step into every time I emerge from my house these days. NYC and it’s 88 degree highs, humidity included, felt like a leisurely walk on a breezy morning over a hillside next to a cold body of water compared to the oppressive temperatures here.

No. It shouldn’t come as a shock. I live in TEXAS. It’s AUGUST. I get it. That doesn’t mean I can’t complain about it.

Because you know what makes living in the ass-crack of hell even worse? Entertaining a child. There are basically 3 months out of the year that we must hole up, hunker down, and live off of what we have in the house- 1/2 of January, 1/2 of June, all of July, and EVERY SECOND of August. And you know what’s just perfect? Every form of “school” is out for a break this month (or at least half of it- the hottest half, I would argue).

It’s not fair, really. Kendall’s “Mother’s Day Out” program, which he attends 2 days a week so that I may accomplish things other than frequent potty trips and using my “calm” voice to discipline, is air conditioned, provides entertainment and adult caregivers who apparently *like* to paint with my child. WHY must they be out for “vacation” this week and next? Just WHAT am I to do with him right now?

I mean, let’s be honest. Most of those teachers probably have kids in the same set up. They are probably home now for this “vacation” and surrounded by their own hyperactive, scaling the walls children, wishing they were away from them or could send them somewhere air conditioned and stimulating. Why are these “vacations” not during October? That’s what I want to know. Let’s work with what we’ve got, people. Leave me to entertain my child 24/7 during a month when I actually *enjoy* being outside with him, when it’s feasible to take him to a grassy spot somewhere and let him run for hours, fearing not that he passes out from a heat stroke.

So now my options are this-

1. Take my child to an indoor location where he may run about like a wild monkey, like the indoor mall playground. Problem? That place is more packed than a Filene’s Basement during Running Of The Brides, and if one more 10 year old leaps over my kid as they bound from slide to slide (whilst talking on a cell phone- TRUE STORY), I might explode.

2. Take my child to a “park.” You know, those places outdoors? Problem? Uhm, OUTDOORS. Why every play structure in the state of Texas is not fully covered (like the ONE playground w/in a 20 mile radius of us that is – that we have been to eleventybillion times) is beyond me.

What boggles me even more? Outdoor malls in Texas. WHY would anyone think that’s a good idea? The only explanation is it was designed by a developer in Canada without access to the Weather Channel. Our closest mall happens to be an outdoor mall, complete with outdoor play area. I’ve dubbed it “Satan’s Playground.” Allow me to show you why:

Imagine, if you will, standing in a toaster oven… on high. Feel the BLAZING HOT of the metal play structures on your hands, the heat waves from the dark, hard ground penetrating your shoes. Now, look up. Notice there is NOTHING between you and the fireball 100 feet above you. This is where parents send their children when they’ve been very, very bad. THIS is Satan’s Playground (at least for a very good portion of the year).

What the hell kind of sense does this make?

Kendall is 2 and finally napping after a long morning being couped up and watching various Nick Jr. shows, and I’m 21 weeks pregnant (which makes all of this even worse).

Just a quick post to 1. tell you how excited I am to be a contributor over at BurbMom.net now and to 2. tell you how pumped I am to show off my stroller whore knowledge (not nearly as kinky as it sounds) over at the DFW Family Expo this Saturday.

1. A few weeks ago Holly found my blog, then I found Holly’s blog, then we emailed back and forth about some blog things, then she invited me to come on as a contributor for BurbMom.net! I love when blogging and networking come full circle. I’m so thrilled to become a part of their community, and if you’re in the DFW area, specifically North Dallas and Fort Worth, you should check it out. It’s a great community and website for moms, by moms with lots of local information. I just published my very first post over there today. It’s about…

2. The DFW Family Expo, put on by Metroplex Baby and Kids and benefiting Children’s Medical Center. The Expo will be held at Centennial Hall in Fair Park this Saturday, the 13th from 10 to 5. There will be plenty of stuff to do for everyone in the family. Since Barb and Tina (co-founders of MBK) know I’m a wee bit obsessed with strollers, they pegged me as the perfect representative to help out with the stroller exhibit where not only can you gaze at some of the hottest strollers on the market, but you can also enter to win one of several. I’ll be manning the entry box. You may bring me treats, such as chocolates or cinnamon rolls or coffee, but I’m not in charge of drawing the winners. Just so you know. You can read all the details in my post over at BurbMom or you can just head straight to DFWFamilyExpo.com to check it out and purchase your tickets, which are super affordable at $3/adult and $2/child 2 and up.

Hope to see lots of you there! Be sure to identify yourself as a creepy internet stalker online friend